U.S. patent number 4,568,108 [Application Number 06/621,670] was granted by the patent office on 1986-02-04 for continuous forms leader.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Pollution Control Products Co.. Invention is credited to Peyton G. Simpson.
United States Patent |
4,568,108 |
Simpson |
February 4, 1986 |
Continuous forms leader
Abstract
This invention relates to a leader for use in processing lengthy
strips of continuous business forms assemblies. The leader includes
feeding means complemental to that of the forms assemblies and one
or more transverse areas of pressure-sensitive adhesive for
temporary positive attachment, one edge portion being applicable to
detachment and application over the leading edge of the endmost
portion of the form assembly and the other to a major body portion
of the assembly. The leader may also have several other embodiments
such as a folded portion for attachment to the forms leader edge.
The leader is especially applicable to initiating data processing
operations of forms assemblies on printers of various feeding
types.
Inventors: |
Simpson; Peyton G. (Dallas,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Pollution Control Products Co.
(Dallas, TX)
|
Family
ID: |
24491134 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/621,670 |
Filed: |
June 18, 1984 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
281/5; 281/2;
428/40.1; 462/5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J
15/00 (20130101); B42D 15/00 (20130101); Y10T
428/14 (20150115); B42P 2241/22 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B41J
15/00 (20060101); B42D 15/00 (20060101); B42D
015/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;156/289
;281/2,5,1R,42,45 ;282/1,2,3,1A,11.5R,11.5A,12R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin", Carton-To-Carton Continuous
Forms Card Splicing", Haughton, W. F. & Ward, R. F., vol. 13,
No. 1, Jun. 1970, p. 90..
|
Primary Examiner: Bell; Paul A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Meier; Harold E.
Claims
I claim:
1. A form leader for use with continuous business forms having
feeding means along at least one lengthwise margin of said forms
for cooperating with feeding means on business forms processing
machinery, said form leader comprising a flat sheet of flexible
material having feeding means extending along at least one margin
of said sheet complemental to the said feeding means of said forms,
and at least one surface portion of said leader having
pressure-sensitive adhesive material thereon adapted to be adhered
to one side of the endmost portion of said forms following
alignment of the complementary feeding means of said leader and
forms to facilitate aligned entry of said forms into said business
forms processing machinery, an index line on said leader to
position the endmost portion on the adhesive material such that the
exposed length of the leader is complementary to the length of the
first individual form, and means for covering the endmost portion
of the form and any exposed adhesive material.
2. A form leader in accordance with claim 1, wherein said leader
has two spaced-apart transverse areas which are adhesively treated
for adhesive attachment to the endmost portion of said forms.
3. A form leader in accordance with claim 1 wherein an upper end
portion of said leader includes said means for covering and is
adhesively-treated and adapted for detachment from said leader and
adherance over the endmost portion of said forms in contact with
both said endmost portion and the adhesive material of said
leader.
4. A form leader in accordance with claim 1, wherein an upper end
portion of said leader includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive
material and is adapted for adherance over the endmost portion of
said forms by folding said leader at an intermediate central area
in face-to-face relation.
5. A form leader in accordance with claim 4, wherein said leader
has a lengthwise dimension greater than twice the lengthwise
dimension of the individual forms of said continuous business forms
with a fold line adjacent the mid-point of said leader, said fold
line permitting alignment of said feeding means along the margin of
said leader when in folded relation with said upper end portion
overlapping and contacting the endmost portion of said forms.
6. A form leader in accordance with claim 1, including two
pressure-sensitive adhesive material surface portions which are
spaced-apart vertically at upper and lower regions of the facing
surface of said leader.
7. A form leader in accordance with claim 1 wherein the upper end
portion of said leader has a relatively narrow coating of adhesive
material and the lower major portion of said leader has a
relatively wide coating of adhesive material.
8. A form leader for use with continuous business forms having
feeding means along at least one lengthwise margin of said forms
for cooperating with feeding means on business form processing
machinery, said form leader comprising a flat sheet of flexible
material having feeding means extending along opposite edges of
said sheet complemental to the said feeding means along the
lengthwise edges of said forms, said leader having a length
complemental to the first individual form of said continuous forms,
an upper end portion of said leader and a lower main body portion
of said leader having pressure-sensitive adhesive material thereon
in relatively narrow and wide transverse band-like coatings
respectively, said adhesive coating of the lower main body adapted
to retain the endmost edge portion of the first individual form
following alignment of the complementary feeding means of said
leader and forms to facilitate aligned entry of said forms into
said business forms processing machinery, an index line on said
leader to facilitate positioning the endmost edge portion such that
the exposed length of the leader is complementary to the length of
the first individual form, said adhesive coating of the upper end
portion adapted to retain the endmost end portion between the main
body portion and the upper end portion.
9. A form leader in accordance with claim 8, wherein the adhesive
material of the upper end portion is detachable for adherance over
the endmost edge portion of said forms.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a leader for use in the processing of
continuous business forms.
At present, business forms of many varied types which are
manufactured in long continuous strips are being processed in
computerized operations wherein much more rapid and accurate
processing of such forms is achieved by modern day computers. Most
commonly, such processing includes the printing of information on
individual form lengths of a continuous business forms assembly
such as by a high-speed printer which is normally operated by a
computer. In initiating such operations, the endmost form length of
a continuous assembly of business forms is normally manually
introduced into the printer and manipulated until such time as the
printing keys of the printer are oriented properly with respect to
the particular areas of the form length on which the information is
to be inscribed. Once the proper orientation has been attained, the
processing operation is initiated and requires little or no manual
attention until the operation is terminated. As is well known, the
inscribed information can be applied to successive forms with
extreme speed and accuracy by such data processing equipment.
One inherent difficulty in initiating such inscribing process
occurs when the endmost form of the continuous forms strip or
assembly is rendered useless by the manual aligning process.
Frequently during attainment of proper alignment the printer may be
manually advanced to determine whether precise alignment has been
achieved. Obviously where proper alignment is not achieved, the
inscribed information is improperly aligned on the form rendering
the same nonusable.
In many types of data processing operations, the loss of the
endmost form is no problem as the individual first form length may
simply be discarded if found to be unusable. However, in certain
types of data processing, it is very undesirable to discard the
endmost unusable form length without causing additional bookkeeping
effort such as where the form lengths are consecutively numbered or
serially indexed.
As is well known in the trade, many stock and bond transfers are
processed by computers and certificates indicating ownership are
issued after being imprinted by a printer operated by a computer.
As is common practice, such certificates are manufactured in
continuous form with each certificate constituting an individual
form length of a continuous business forms assembly with each
individual form length being prenumbered or serialized. If an
individual form length must be discarded, additional bookkeeping is
required to indicate that a certificate bearing a prescribed number
has been voided and not used. In such situations, normal methods of
manually aligning the endmost individual form of a continuous forms
assembly in a printer are unsatisfactory due to such increased
bookkeeping operations.
In addition, many modern day computer printers now have feeding
mechanisms for the continuous forms assemblies at the exit from the
printer rather than at the entrance. In such case the forms are
pulled rather than pushed through the printer and require that a
continuous forms leader be applicable to both types of printers
whether the feeding mechanisms be located at either the entrance or
exit areas. The forms leader must positively retain the endmost
form and frictional engagement alone will normally not suffice
where the forms assembly must be pulled through the printer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved leader for use with
continuous business forms assemblies to permit rapid alignment with
such forms assemblies and data processing apparatus of various
types in such manner that no individual form length of the forms
assembly is rendered defective or unusable.
The continuous forms leader of this invention permits temporary
bonding of the leader to the continuous forms assembly to
facilitate the loading of the printer whether its feeding mechanism
is based on a pushing or pulling principle. The leader possessing
adhesive bonding characteristics or temporary retention means other
than friction permits the leader to work equally well in either
feeding arrangement. The leader preferably possesses several
separate areas of adhesive attachment including a detachable or
folded-over upper portion to be applied over the upper edge portion
of the forms in such manner that they do not catch or snag on any
projections on the inlet area of virtually all types of
printers.
At least one peripheral edge of the leader is provided with feeding
means complementary to the feeding means of the continuous forms
assembly as well as that of the forms processing machinery or
printer. Normally this consists of at least one uniformly
spaced-apart series of pinholes or open apertures along one
lengthwise edge which are engaged by driving pins of the printer.
The width of the leader is generally the same as the width of the
continuous forms assembly with which it is to be used, normally of
the order of about 81/2 inches. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is
applied to the uppermost edge portion of the leader with directions
as to how the adhesively treated area is detached or folded and
applied over the leading edge of the forms to be processed
following alignment of matching feeding pinholes.
The preferred form of the leader possesses one or more band-like
areas of pressure-sensitive adhesive extending normal to the
lengthwise dimension of the forms assembly. The lower area is
pressed against the backside of the continuous forms assembly after
the complementary feeding means are aligned. The leader in one
version possesses a detachable portion at its upper edge coated
with pressure-sensitive adhesive. The adhesively-treated areas may
be protected by separate peelable strips of removable flexible
material of comparable width and length to protect the adhesive
until usage of the leader is desired. Alternately, the
adhesively-treated areas may be protected by another leader in a
pad of multiple leaders from which the leader to be used is
removed.
Further details of the present invention and its construction and
use will be apparent from the following specification taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the forms leader
having upper and lower adhesive areas.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of combining the leader of
FIG. 1 and endmost portion of a forms assembly.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a continuous business forms
assembly made ready for initial processing through a printer by the
use of the leader of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the forms leader
having a central fold line.
FIG. 5 is a similar view of the FIG. 4 embodiment folded over and
adhesively attached to the forms assembly.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the forms leader
having only the lower adhesive area.
FIG. 7 is a similar view of the FIG. 6 embodiment adhesively
attached to the forms assembly.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the present
invention wherein two forms leaders are attached over the forms
assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A preferred embodiment of a leader made in accordance with the
present invention as shown in FIG. 1. The leader for use in
processing continuous forms assemblies consists of a flat sheet of
flexible material designated by the numeral 10. The leader is
preferably rectangular in shape having a single thickness and may
be comprised of paper or plastic. A series of equi-spaced pinholes
or aperture openings 11 are formed along at least one margin to
provide a feeding means. Such pinholes are widely used in the trade
on continuous forms assemblies to cooperate with driving pins of
the feeding mechanism of form processing machinery including
printers. The marginal alignment of pinholes may exist along one or
both lengthwise marginal edges of the continuous forms to provide
uniform retention and controlled movement of the continuous forms
through the processing equipment. FIG. 1 illustrates the leader
having the plurality of feeding pinholes 11 spaced on equal centers
along both margins of the leader matching the forms assembly. Thus,
the spacing between the leader apertures corresponds to the spacing
between similar holes in the margins of the continuous forms
assembly. Such assembly with which the leader is used matches the
spacing of feed pins in the feeding mechanism of the data
processing apparatus. This is true whether the feeding mechanism is
located at the inlet or outlet side of the inscribing
apparatus.
The upper edge portion of the leader designated by the numeral 12
preferably has a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive extending
throughout its width normal to the feeding means along one or more
adjacent edges. A pressure-sensitive adhesive such as those
manufactured by 3M company and commonly used on its "Post-It" note
pads, Product Numbers 653, 654 and 655, is preferably applied to
the upper edge portion of the form. A spaced-apart intermediate or
lower portion of the leader designated by the numeral 13 is also
coated with a wide band of similar pressure-sensitive adhesive
extending preferably throughout its full width for adherence to a
body portion of the continuous forms assembly. The lower adhesive
area is preferably much wider than the edge portion adhesive area
to facilitate positive aligned attachment to the backside of the
leading portion of the forms assembly. The leader 10 also possesses
a serrated separation line 14 along or adjacent to the interior
extremity of the adhesive 12 applied to the upper edge portion to
facilitate detaching the upper edge portion. The upper portion is
used to cover the front of the leading edge portion of the
continuous forms assembly.
The leader may have complemental strips 15 and 16 of flexible
peelable material adhered over the adhesive areas 12 and 13
respectively, which are spaced-apart a distance equal to the length
of the endmost individual form of the continuous forms assembly.
Normally the strips or sheets of peelable material are fully
coextensive with the adhesive areas. Printed instructions or
indicia are applied to the leader or the peelable strips describing
preferred use of the leader.
The leading end portion of continuous forms assembly is normally
placed over the lower adhesive area of the leader after the
adhesive area is exposed by removing the peelable strip 16,
partially on and partially off the leader as shown in FIG. 2. The
complemental pinholes or feeding means 17 of the forms assembly 18
and leader 10 are aligned along matching edges or both edges where
such feeding means exist. With the pinholes in proper alignment,
the upper edge portion of the leader is detached along the line 14,
positioned and pressed downwardly over the upper edge of the forms
assembly 18 in face-to-face relation. The adhesive area of the
detached portion 12 is positioned to contact the front of the
assembly upper edge 19 and the leader. The lower adhesive area 13
of the leader is adhered to the backside of the forms assembly.
With the upper edge portion the leader adhered over the leading
edge 19 of the continuous forms assembly, the leader is thus able
to carry the forms assembly through a printer whether its feeding
mechanism be located on either the entrance or exit side of the
printer.
Following attachment of the leader to the forms assembly, the
exposed face of the leader has a length comparable to the first
form length of the assembly to align the information to be
inscribed on such first form.
It is preferred that the edge portion of adhesive on the leader
have sufficient width to encompass and bondingly retain the full
edge portion of the forms assembly, especially where
multiple-thickness forms are processed. The detached upper adhesive
area of the leader properly positioned and adhered prevents the
continuous forms assembly from catching on any interior projection
during its passage through the printer. The smooth-faced single
edge is provided to move through the inlet path of the printer
without difficulty and is much less likely to allow the forms
assembly and leader to hang up or be snagged by any impediment in
the inlet path.
As shown in FIG. 3 data processing apparatus and more specifically
a high-speed printer designated by the numeral 20 is employed to
receive the combined leader and forms assembly. As a part of the
printer, a feeding mechanism designated by the numeral 21 normally
includes at least one driven roller 22 having a series of radially
extending pins 23 thereon. Usually the printer includes a pair of
rollers in close proximity to each other, both rollers having such
projecting pins which are received in the apertures in the leader
as well as those in the adhered forms assembly.
When the rollers are driven in the direction of the arrow, the
leader and continuous forms assembly are driven into and through
the printer. As stated, the width of the leader is substantially
equal to the width of the forms assembly to carry the same without
damage or distortion into and through the printer in a manner
whereby it can be fully inscribed on its exposed front surface.
With the lower adhesive portion of the leader adhered to the
backside of the first endmost form, the leader acts as the first of
such forms available for inscribing desired information by the
printer.
In another embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 4,
the leader has the length of two individual forms on its exposed
face. The lower portion of the leader 25 has a covering 26 over its
lower adhesive area 27 which is removed to expose the adhesive. The
endmost edge of the continuous forms assembly is placed along a
designated marking in an intermediate region of the adhesive area,
leaving some of the adhesive exposed. The assembly is placed over
the lower portion of the leader with the pinholes of the several
members properly aligned. The covering 28 over the upper adhesive
area 29 of the leader is removed exposing the adhesive. The leader
having a fold line 30 at a designated midpoint region is folded
thereat into face-to-face relation. The upper portion has
sufficient length to cover the edge portion 19 of the forms
assembly and to contact the exposed adhesive area of the leader
lower region. When the leader is folded, its edgewise pinholes are
properly aligned. The leader then has a double thickness with the
forms edge retained at a lower region. The fold line is positioned
to permit ready alignment of the edgewise feeding means of the
folded-over leader as well as with the forms assembly.
The combined leader and assembly as shown in FIG. 5 are then ready
to be fed into the printer the exposed portion 31 of the leader
having a length equivalent to the first form of the assembly.
In another embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 6,
the leader 32 has a pressure-sensitive lower adhesive area 33 which
is covered with a peelable strip 34 which is removed to expose the
adhesive. The leader has a length equal to the first individual
form of the forms assembly. The endmost edge portion 19 of the
assembly is placed on the adhesive area 33 along a designated line,
and the removed peelable strip 34 having adhesive thereon is
applied over the edge, both on and off the assembly and contacting
the leader adhesive. The forms assembly is then ready to be
inserted into the printer mechanism. The leader and forms are
smoothly joined with the edgewise pinholes in proper alignment for
initiation of the printing operation.
In still another version of the present invention the leader shown
in FIG. 8, the leader 35 having an adhesive band 36 only on its
lower portion can be taken for retaining the forms assembly at a
designated lower line marked receiving for its edge. Another
separate leader 35a having the same structure is taken and applied
face down with its adhesive area 36a contacting both the forms
assembly edge portion and the exposed adhesive of the first leader.
Thus, the pair of leaders serve to adhesively retain the forms
assembly.
Following discharge from the printer, the selected leader may be
removed from the forms assembly and discarded, or reused as
desired. The leaders may be made in either individualized form in
pads, or disposable strip form in varied sizes to fit the forms
assemblies, or in reusable form as desired.
Various modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *